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Five Practical Ways To Ride Bikes Safely

Do you have a bike and looking for ways to make your rides more safe and enjoyable? Whether you are riding a bike or any other vehicle, it is important to practice safety precautions, so you do not have to call a local attorney to handle any offenses or traffic violations. Before you hit the road with your awesome one-speed, make sure you know the rules of riding. It requires a little common sense and diligence. Here are a few good habits to follow when taking your bike out for a ride.

Avoid Sidewalks

Remember that the law requires bikers to ride in the same direction as the traffic on the road. Just because you have a bike, which is easy to maneuver, does not give you the authority to ride in whatever direction you please. Only bikers under the age of 12 can use sidewalks for riding and these safety guides are for bicycle riding only. Your bike is just like any other vehicle on the road, so make sure you follow the riding rules expected of you to avoid any tickets.

Follow Basic Traffic Rules

These bike riding basics you have learned from your parents. Stopping at a red light, moving at a safe speed, keeping a check on the traffic conditions and wearing a headgear, are a no-brainer for any rider. While it may sound simple, not wearing the gears can prove to be quite detrimental. It is also a good habit to obey one-way street, yield, stop signs, red signals, and other traffic signs to stay safe on the road. Make sure you do not drive in any unmarked lanes unless necessary and always look for marked bike paths to ride on.

Be Careful When Riding With Kids

You need to be extra cautious when traveling with kids on a bike. Some states prohibit toddlers to ride on a bike. For example, New York City does not allow babies under one year to be taken along on a bike. Any kid traveling with you must also wear a headgear like a helmet for protection and any perching on the back wheel or positioning on the handlebars must be strictly avoided. If you want to take a kid along (under the age of 18), make sure you have a child carrier properly attached to your bike to avoid any harmful incidents on the road.

Avoid Biking On Highways

Depending on your specific state, some expressways, thoroughfares, and Interstate routes might be disallowed for biking. Keep a check on such routes and avoid taking the highways prohibited by the state law. Many of the states like Michigan and Alaska have their own highways for bikes. We expect the same in other states too.

Stay In The Right Side Of The Lane

When riding, I suggest you stay on the right side of the lane with the other riders in a single-file line. Avoid switching lanes or moving into the middle of the road; it can lead to accidents and even injuries. In narrow streets, you can ride in the middle for enhanced visibility but watch out for any door opening in your direction by parked cars around. If you see parked vehicles inside the street, I recommend staying closer to the center to avoid the door-into-cyclist situation.

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Meet Me :)

The name is John. I've been travelling for about 3 years now and don't plan on going back home to Canada anytime soon. I love to eat, watch sports and stay out late. But most of all, I love not working a 9-5 job anymore... (Not that there's anything wrong with that!). It just wasn't for me, I felt like my soul was slowly dying every day I dredged in front of my computer screen in a mundane office. Read More…